Friday, April 20, 2012

Fixing the Problem

It is no secret I am hot and heavy in the market for a new bike. It is also a given that this bike will have big wheels. I have my eye on something like this-

I spoke with an old friend yesterday, who just secured the purchase of a new bike as well, pictured below. In one elegant leap, he is committing to all of the innovations he can combine into one bike- carbon fiber, full suspension, 29'er. It might as well be belt-driven. My goals are more modest, but we both acknowledged that moving to a big wheel bike is a recognition that we are entering a new era of riding. Nobody mentioned getting older or growing up, but there it was, malingering in the fiber optics along the thousands of miles between us. I felt a kinship, two maturing riders transitioning gracefully into the Master's class.

Then he told me he underwent a certain procedure that sterilized his reproductive system. Hmmmmm? Was that required with the purchase of the 29'er? Are the two things related?

Guess I need to spend some time on one to see what the hype is all about. Not quite ready to drink the Kool Aid. I could see how they might be fun on open, fast, flowy stuff. Just not convinced they are the best option for the tight, technical stuff. If the world was my oyster..I'd have one of each.

If you love the feeling of *rolling* then big wheels will bite you in the butt. I rode both those bikes at the SC demo day at CBO. For me, the Highball was very responsive and climbed like a goat..but it was very stiff and rigid, not the bike to race down the rocks at speed chasing your buds. The Tallboy felt very similar ride wise to my own 26" wheeled Blur LT but with a little more gyro. Neither of the demo bikes had very good wheels so what can you tell from that? Good light wheels make a big difference IMO. so what did I do? Kept my 26" LT and bought a Ti 29er hardtail. I ride it 90% of the time. I can get pretty racy on the rocky down if I'm feeling loose. All around? It's what I crave. When I go to Moab I'll take 'em both.

I've ridden 29 for five years and love it. Had some rental 26 since drinking the cool aid and they don't roll like I want; 29 rolls over everything and I *never* encounter technical stuff that I can't to as good or better than the next guy.